Observation and communication permitting device for jails, etc.



D. F. YOUNGBLOOD OBSERVATION AND COMMUNICATION PERMITTING DEVICE FOR JAILS, ETC

Filed Aug. 4, 1926 May E7, 392?,

m W m k m m w m N ATTORNEY 1,629,371 May 17 1927' D. F. YoUNGBLooD W OBSERVATION ANDCOMMUNICATION PERMITTING DEVICE FOR JILS, ETC

Filed Aug. 4, 1926 2 Sh ets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES l @@{Wwdd BY r @M7 n a ATTORNEY Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STAT DAVID FRANKLIN `YV'OUNGBLOOID, OF SAN lANTONIO, TEXAS.

OBSERVATION AND COMMUNICATION PERMITTING DEVICE v:FOR JAILS, ETD.

Application led August 4, 1926. Serial No. 127,137.

prisons, etc. it is necessary that a safe means of communication be provided whereby at 1n torneys,V friends, relatives, newspaper men,

officials and the public in general may` visit the inmates and converse with them in a confidential manner without disturbing other occupants and yet in such a way as to main- 1: tain absolute security of inmates and at the same time prevent visitors from passing to them'such articles as firearms, tools, poisons,

narcotics, liquor, secret messages, etc. It is also sometimes necessary that visitors be 2o separated from the inmates to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

I am aware that devices have been ydesigned for this general purpose but such present structures are open to serious criticism inasmuch as they readily accumulate dust, dirt and trash and are of such construction that articles which the visitors ma attempt to pass through to the inmates fa l into the bottom of the device where they re- Iifl'main until the entire device is cut out,

cleaned and replaced.

It is with the abovel facts in view that I have designed the present invention which has for its principal object theprovision of 3.-, a device which I have chosen to designate by the coined descriptive word visaphone7 and which fullills'all the purposes set forth above, in that it permits communication between visitors and inmates of an institution 4o and at the same time allows the parties to see each other while positively preventingthe passing in of any prohibited articles, in addition to insuring physical separation, so that there would be no likelihood of the spread of contagious diseases in case there'is any danger of such. 'f

Another object of the invention is to provide a device or structure of this character embodying a. combined sounding board and writing table at each side of the partition or wall where the device is mounted, the sounding board feature insuring ease in communication andthe table being desirable as it permits the taking .of notes, dictation and the like.

A more specific object is to provide a de-` vice of this character embodying a glass panel or pane permitting the visitor and inmate to see each other, 'the glass being so mounted as to be readily capable of replacement in case it becomes broken from any cause. A

A still further object of the inventionvis to provide a device of this character in which certain of the structural elements are interlocked with the steel wall or` partition in ,which the device is located, the interlocking feature 4preventing tearing out of the structure even though the securing rivets themselves might be removed.

Another object is the provision of a struc, ture of this character so arranged that any articles which the visitor or inmate may attempt to pass will drop out at the side from which they were inserted, it being therefore manifestly impossible for the device to clog or becomechoked with such matter. An additional object is to provide a de,- vice ofA this character which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install, easy to keep in repair, positive in action, eicient and durable in art. rv

With the above and other objects land advantages in view, the invention preferably service, and a general improvement in the consists in the arrangement and combina tion of parts .and detailed structural fea-l tures to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and` illustrated inthe accompanving drawings in which :A -v

Figure 1I is a floor plan of a jail or the like showing a convenient location of the parts thereof and illustrating a visitors booth where the device forming the subject matter of the invention is located.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the device looking` at it from the visitors side.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking downwardly. j Figure 5 is a cross ,sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 3, looking downwardly.

Referring more particularly t0 the draw ings, and especially Figure l, it will be seen that I have disclosed a jail here represented as including a plurality of cells A opening out onto a corridor B which, in turn, leads into an assemblyroom C within which the inmates may congregate at certain periods, andinto which they are brought when permitted to receive visitors. The let-ter D designates the entrance hall. in which or adjacent which is provided a booth E for visitors,' the booth in the present instance being V.shown as double, though it should be diss tinctly understood that it may be formed to accommodate a fewer or greaterA number of persons. if desired. The device, which I call a Visaphone'and which forms the subject matter of the present invention is .located in the booth E or, rather, 1n the wall F between this booth and the assembly room C, and is designated in general by the letter' G.

In carrying out the invention, thewall flanges are slotted at 14 so as to interlock with the wall F at the side edges of the opening therein, for a reason to be eX- plained. Obviously, to effect installation, theangle bars must becanted or tilted to fret them intoV place` but this is a mere detail 1n the actual building operation.v Disposed l against the' under and upper surfaces of the horizontal flanges of the -upper and lower angle bars 11, respectively, are strips or bat- --tens 15 suitably secured to the angle bars as by rivets 16 or the like. Exten ing bel tween the angle bars and battens or strips are .vertically arranged bars 17 which ex' tend through suitable holes and which are upset at their ends, riveted or otherwise secured in place.

Located-at the front or booth side of the wall is a frame which may include an upper strip 18 secured against the outer face of the vertical angefl2- of the upper angle bar 11, vertically arranged strips 19 of greater thickness disposed against the outer face of the wall, and a Z-bar 20 secured against the outer face of the vertical fiange 12 of the lower angle bar 11. While it is conceivable that the elements 12 and 18 may be welded together and to the wall, I have shown rivets 21 for effecting the securing action, these rivets passing through the wall and through these members. Similarly, the vertical strips 19 may be held in place by rivets 22. The securing means for the Z-bar 20 may consist of rivets 23. However, these are mere structural details which may readily be varied within the scope of the invention.

AThe battens or strips 15 have their forward edges terminating flush with the outer or booth side of the wall F so' as to constitute abutment means for a glass panel 24, which also abut-s against the face ofthe wall at the sides of the opening 10 therein. This glass panel is itself preferably unprovided with any securing means, as it is held in place by a preferably rectangular open frame 25 which fits within the kstationary frame formed by the parts 18, 19 and 20, and which is hinged at 26 upon one of jthe members 19. This hinged frame is shown as carrying an apertured ear 27 registering with a similar ear 28 on the other upright member 19, a Suitable padlock 29 having its shackle'3() engaged through these ears Jfor the purpose of holding the frame 25. in its glass retaining position. The advantage of this particularconstruction is that if the glass panel becomes broken from any cause, it may be easily relaced by another. lt is preferable that elt or other cushioning material 31 be provided at the areas of contact of the metal parts with the glass panel.

Disposed at the inner Side of the wall F immediately beneath the lower angle bar. 11 is a filler member or strip 32 against which, in turn, is located a Z-bar 33 which is preferably of the same shape as the Z- bar 20. The above described rivets 23 operate to hold both Z-bars, the filler member 32 and' the lower angle bar 11 in proper position or assembled relation. Below the filler 32 the wall is provided with an opening 34 covered by wireA screens 35.

Locatedat opposite sides of the wall F in slightly spaced relation to the lower edges of the Z-bars 20 and ,33 are angular plate members 36 which are horizontally arranged and which serve not only as writing tables but also as sounding boards. These angular plate members have vertical portions 37 riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the wall, and these vertical portions terminate in horizontal ianges, 38 which extend away from the Wall and which constitute battles. The flanges are spaced from the Z-bars as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 so as to leave sound passages 39 whiche communicate with the opening 34, said passages 39 being closed at the ends by walls or plates 39a as clearly shown in Figures v2 and 3. It is preferable to provide angle bars 40, which are riveted or other- 'wise secured to the Wall and to the undersides of the members 36 for reinforcing purposes.

Mouth piece members41 are mounted on the lower portions of the Z-bars 2O and 33 and have Haring openings 42 therein forming a continuation ofsimilarly flaring openings 43 in the Z-bars. Tubular members 44, held by brackets 45, are mounted on the inner sides of the Z-bars at the openings 43 and extend toward the vertical portions 37 of the combined table'and sounding board members, though terminatingin spaced relation thereto.

In the use of the device, it will be seen that a vvisitor lwithin the booth E may converse with an inmate and 'at the same time, both will be clearly visible to each other owing to the provision of the" glass panel.

The mouth piece structure provides amplemeans for communication as soun-d waves may pass through the mouth pieces, tubular members 44, passages. 39 and opening 34. The small spaces between. the lower edges of the Z-bars and the table members 36 will also permit passage of sound. The members '.inmate.v If any attempt is-made to insert an object Athrough'the'mouth piece structure,

able a metal it will dropdown onto the member 36 at the opening between the latter and the lower edge of the Z-bar at the same side of the wall from which insertion is attempted. It will therefore be impossible for any matter to accumulatefwithin the device and choke it up. In describing the angle bars 11, it was specified that v'the horizontal flanges thereof are preferably slotted or notched to interlockwith the wall at the edges of the opening. The reason for this isthat even though the rivetsholding the angle barsin place were removed, it would still be impossible to withdraw the angle bars. It is consequently clear that the most strenuous efforts to defeat tne purpose of the device will be fruitless. It is mentioned above that a broken y'glass panel may be easil taken out and replaced by a new one, and 1t is obvious-that if a replacement part is unavailplate may be substituted, at

least temporarily.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparentthat I have thus provided va combination device which is novel and highly useful in that it readily provides means whereby parties may see each other while engaged 1n conversation in addition to providing con# 4venient means for supporting a note book or paper for writing, taking notes or dictation, etc., and which is roof Aagainst escape of inmates and also illicit traic in and passage of forbidden articles therethrough.

While I have shown and;described apreferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that I reserve lthe right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit 'of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.A

What is claimed is:-

1. In a device of the character described, al wall having .an opening therein, angle bars secured within the opening at the top and bottom thereof, vertical bars extending between and-'secured to said angle bars, a glass panel covering said opening, means for securing said glass panel in position, and means associated with the bottom angle bar and defining serpentine sound conductingv passages for permitting communication through said wall.

2. In a device ofthe character described, awall having an opening therein',angle bars secured 'to the wall at the top and bottom of the opening and extending through the opening, vert-ical bars located between and secured to said angle bars, a stationary frame secured upon one side of thel wall, a glass panel covering said opening, abutment means engaged by one side of the glass panel, and -a movably mounted .frame carriedeby: said stationary frame and abuttingly engaving against the other side'of the glass y pane .for maintainin .the'same in position.

3,. In a device of tie character described,

awall having an opening' therein, angle barsk secured to the wall at the top and bottom of the openlng and extending through the opening, vertical bars located between and -securedto said angle bars, a stationary frame secured upon one side of the wall, a glass panel covering said opening, abutment means engaged by one side of the glass panel, and a movably'mounted frame carried by said stationary frame and' abuttingly engaging against the other-,side of the glass panel for maintaining the same in position, the movable frame being hinge-d uponl the stationary frame and equipped with locking means.

4. In a device of the character described, I

a wall having an opening therein, angle bars secured to` the wall at the top and bottom of the opening and extending through the opening, vertical bars located between and secured to said angle bars, a stationary frame .secured upon one side of the wall, a glass panelcovering said opening, abutment means engaged'by one side of the glass panel, and a movably mounted frame carried by said stationary frame and abut- 1tingly engaging against the other side of the glass panel for maintaining the same in position, said stationary frame including a Z-bar havin openings therein, a Z-bar secured upon t e wall at the side opposite said first-named Z-bar and providedwith openings, the wall having a hole therein lpermitting passage ofv sound,l and said Z- ars defining passages leading to said hole. 5. In a device of the character described, a wall having an opening therein, angle bars secured the wall at the top and bottom of the openlng and extending through the opening, vertical bars located-between and secured to said angle bars, a stationary frame secured upon one side of the Wall, av

glass panel covering said opening, abutment means. engaged by onel side of the glass panel, and a. movably mounted framecar` ried by said stationary frame and abuttingly engaging against the other side of the glass panel for maintaining the same in position, said stationary frame including a Z-bar having openings therein, a Z-bar secured upon the wall at the side opposite said first named Z-bar. and provided with openings, the Wall having av hole therein permitting passage of {ining passages leading to said hole, and means Within said passages acting as batiles to prevent passage of articles therethrough. 6. In a device of the character described, a Wall havin an opening therein. angle bars located within the opening at the top and bottom thereof, said angle bars having vertical flanges disposed againstone side of the Y Wall and having horizontal flanges extending through the opening, the horizontal' ilanges having their ends slotted and interlockingly receiving the wall at the side edges of the opening, and spaced vertical bars located between and secured to the horizontal flanges of the ,angle bars.

` 7. In' a dev-ice ofthe character described, a Wall having an opening therein, angle bars secured to the Wall at the top and bottom of the opening and vhaving horizontal flanges extending through the opening, strip members secured to the confrontin faces of the angle bars and terminating ush with one face of the wall, a transparent panel covering the o ening and abutting against said strip mem ers and against the Wall at the sides of the opening therein, and a hingedly'niounted openframe abutting against the other side of the glass panel for retaining the same in position. v

8. In a device ofthe character described,

a wall having any opening therein, a transfol per.

parent panel covering said openin mitting vision through the Wall, -bars secured upon opposite sides'of the Wall beneath said opening and forming a.A portion sound, and said Z-bars de cured upon opposite sides of the Wall be` n eath said opening, the wall having a hole therein within the contines of the Z-bars, said Z-bars 'having openings therethrough and delining -passages lead-ing from said openings to the hole in the Wall, members having vertical portions secured to opposite sides of the Wall Within the confines of the Z-bars and terminating in horizontal flanges projecting away from the Wal-l, and tubular members within the Z-bars and leading from the'openings in the Z-bars and cooperating With said flanges to .render said passages serpentine in form.

10. In a device of the character described, a. wall having an opening therein, bar elements secured to the Wall at the u per and lower edges ofthe opening, space vertical bars secured to said lirst-mentioned bars, a

stationary frame secured upon one side of the wall and including an angular bar member, a transparent panel covering said opening, means Within said frame 'for-holding said panel in position, an angular bar member secured upon the opposite side of the wall,lmeans secured to the wall and over hanging said angular bar members in spaced relation thereto and provided with mouth pieces, said overhanging means cooperating With said angular bar members to deline -serpentinepassa es, and said wall having a hole therethroug connecting said passages, so as to permit passage of sound from one mouth piece to the other.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiixed my signaturea DAVKD FRANKLIN YOUNGBLOOD. 

